Read Online CHASING LIFE by Steve Jovanoski - Free Book Online Page A

Enough is enough, he decided. He searched for a place he could sit and relax. One more drink and a cigarette for the night, and back to the hotel room, he thought. A different species of human occupied this area: it was a well-dressed mixture of Europeans and locals. He stood out among the elegant women and suited men, not for being western but because of his shabby clothes.
    The venues were in modern decor and well stocked with expensive alcohol. This was clearly an upper-crust area catering to wealthy internationals. He decided to stop at a French bistro. Four attractive women with American accents occupied two tables outside. It surprised him at how busy it was, since it was only a Wednesday night. He ordered a beer at the bar and wandered outside to light a cigarette. He took a menu in his hand and glanced over it. The young professionals were obviously higher income earners, going by the price-list.
    He posed nonchalantly and threw glances across the table. He tested the waters for a response, but the girls didn’t bite—they were involved enough in their own company. The casually dressed stranger who looked like he’d been sweating profusely wasn’t even noticed. He finally resigned himself to drinking on his own.
    At least h e was undercover and drying up. His mind drifted to Julia. A smile formed on his face at the thought of her. She’d be with him if she were alive, right here having a laugh with him. He looked up at the sky and wondered if she were looking down. He tried to snap himself out of it. Thinking of Julia was trouble—once he’d start, the thoughts would go round in a circle, the same thing over and over. He made an effort to divert his attention to something else. A nice-looking guy was alone at a table nearby and Dave decided to give conversation another shot.
    ‘Does it ever stop raining here?’ Dave inquired.
    ‘It’s the monsoon season. Gets pretty soggy this time of the year,’ the man replied, affably enough.
    ‘It doesn’t seem to bother anyone much,’ Dave replied, relieved at not being snubbed, pointing at the crowded bars and restaurants across the street.
    ‘They’re used to it. That’s life here. When everyone’s wet, no one cares.’
    Detecting the man’s Australian accent, Dave ventured a guess. ‘Melbourne or Sydney?’ he asked.
    ‘Sydney. Yourself?’
    ‘Melbourne.’
    ‘Been here long?’
    ‘I got here a few hours ago. How about yourself?’
    ‘Ten minutes. Waiting for an order.’
    ‘No, I mean . . . ’ Dave was flustered.
    ‘I’m joking ,’ the guy grinned. ‘I’ve been here five years now.’ He was handed a box of takeout food by one of the waiters. Another bistro staffer greeted him and they exchanged friendly words in French, shook hands and bid each other goodbye.
    ‘You speak French?’ Dave asked once the staffer left.
    ‘I know a little. My parents are French. What are your plans for tonight?’
    ‘I don’t know, to be honest. I’m by myself and never been to Hong Kong before. What do you recommend?’ Dave asked.
    ‘Well, this is the business end of town. It’s cleaner and wealthier and you’ll find a nice crowd here,’ the guy pushed back his chair and started to stand. ‘Listen, I have to go to work. I run a club myself. It’s just down the road off this street and into a little lane. I’m meeting up with my girlfriend and some friends later. Since you’re by yourself, come in for a drink. If you want, we’ll go out together afterward.’
    ‘Thanks for the offer. I might do that ,’ Dave replied, pleased at the unexpected invitation. ‘What’s it called?’
    ‘The Base. It’s a little hard to find, but there’s a L ebanese restaurant on that lane and the owner knows me. Tell him you’re looking for Sam from The Base.’ Sam pointed to a side street a few blocks up the road.
    ‘Will do. I’m Dave, by the way.’
    ‘Okay, Dave. I’ll see you later.’
    The two men shook hands and Sam departed with a confident stride,